Display Device with Sufficient Adhesive Strength for Sealing Material

ABSTRACT

A display device which can ensure sufficient adhesive strength between each pair of substrates of a liquid crystal display panel and a sealing material includes: a first substrate having a predetermined integrated circuit; a second substrate on one surface of the first substrate in an overlapping manner; and an adhesive material between the first substrate and the second substrate that has an annular planar shape. The adhesive material adheres the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein an outer periphery of the adhesive material includes a zone which includes a plurality of first portions passing substantially the same position as an outer periphery of the surface of the first substrate and a plurality of second portions each connected with the two neighboring first portions and having a center portion thereof in a peripheral direction retracted toward an inner peripheral side of the adhesive material.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/572,795 filed on Aug. 13, 2012, which is a Continuationapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/067,579 filed on Jun. 10,2011, which is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.12/379,106 filed on Feb. 12, 2009. The present application claimspriority from U.S. application Ser. No. 13/572,795 filed on Aug. 13,2012, which claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 13/067,579filed on Jun. 10, 2011, which claims priority from U.S. application Ser.No. 12/379,106 filed on Feb. 12, 2009, which claims priority fromJapanese application serial No. 2008-32563, filed on Feb. 14, 2008, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularlyto a technique which is effectively applicable to a TFT-type liquidcrystal display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, the TFT-type liquid crystal display device has been usedas a display of portable electronic equipment such as a mobile phoneterminal, an external display of a television receiver set, a personalcomputer (PC) or the like.

The TFT-type liquid crystal display device is a display device whichincludes a TFT liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystalmaterial is filled between a pair of substrates. Here, the pair ofsubstrates is adhered to each other using an annular sealing material(adhesive material), and the liquid crystal material is hermeticallyfilled in a space defined by the pair of substrates and the sealingmaterial.

In manufacturing the liquid crystal display panels, the liquid crystaldisplay panels are manufactured by a method which is referred to as a“multi-piece simultaneously forming method” using a large area of motherglass in general. In manufacturing the liquid crystal display panels bythe multi-piece simultaneously forming method, a first mother glass fromwhich only a large number of substrates each of which constitutes one ofthe pair of substrates are formed and a second mother glass from whichonly a large number of substrates each of which constitutes the other ofthe pair of substrates are formed are adhered to each other using thesealing material and, thereafter, the first mother glass and the secondmother glass are divided into the individual liquid crystal displaypanels by cutting.

Here, a method of filling a liquid crystal material is roughlyclassified into a method of filling a liquid crystal material in a statewhere two mother glasses are adhered to each other (liquid-crystaldropping filling method (ODF method)) and a method of filling a liquidcrystal material after the mother glasses are divided into individualliquid crystal display panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Here, with respect to the liquid crystal display panel, due to steadynarrowing of a picture frame, a size of a portion of the substrateoutside a display region has been remarkably decreased. Accordingly, asize (a width) of the sealing material whish is formed outside thedisplay region is also decreased.

However, when the width of the sealing material becomes small, anadhering surface between the sealing material and the substrate becomesnarrow. Accordingly, for example, a sufficient adhesive strength cannotbe obtained thus easily giving rise to a drawback that the substrate ispeeled off.

Further, in filling the liquid crystal material by the liquid-crystaldropping filling method, for example, the sealing material is printed ona surface of the first mother glass, the liquid crystal material isdropped, the second mother glass is adhered to the first mother glass,and the sealing material is cured. Accordingly, when a dropping quantityof the liquid crystal material exceeds a predetermined quantity, forexample, an excess quantity of liquid crystal material leaks andintrudes into a contact interface (adhering surface) between the secondmother glass and the sealing material thus easily giving rise to adrawback that an adhesive strength between the second mother glass andthe sealing material is lowered.

The above-mentioned drawbacks are particularly apparent with respect toa miniaturized liquid crystal display panel such as a liquid crystaldisplay panel for a mobile phone terminal, and there has been a demandfor countermeasures which can overcome such drawbacks.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a techniquewhich can ensure a sufficient adhesive strength on adhering surfacesformed between a pair of respective substrates of a liquid crystaldisplay panel and a sealing material.

The above-mentioned and other objects and novel features of theinvention will become apparent by the description of this specificationand attached drawings.

To briefly explain the summary of typical inventions among inventionsdescribed in this specification, they are as follows.

(1) In a display device which includes: a first substrate on which apredetermined integrated circuit is formed; a second substrate which isarranged on one surface of the first substrate in an overlapping manner;and an adhesive material which is arranged between the first substrateand the second substrate and has an annular planar shape as viewed fromthe surface of the first substrate, the adhesive material being providedfor adhering the first substrate and the second substrate, an outerperiphery of the adhesive material as viewed from the surface of thefirst substrate includes a zone which is constituted of a plurality offirst portions passing substantially the same position as an outerperiphery of the surface of the first substrate and a plurality ofsecond portions each of which is connected with the two neighboringfirst portions and has a center portion thereof in a peripheraldirection retracted toward an inner peripheral side of the adhesivematerial as viewed from the surface of the first substrate.

(2) In the display device having the constitution (1), the adhesivematerial is configured such that a distance between the first portionand an inner periphery of the adhesive material as viewed from thesurface of the first substrate is longer than a distance between thecenter portion of the second portion in the peripheral direction and theinner periphery of the adhesive material as viewed from the surface ofthe first substrate.

(3) In the display device having the constitution (1) or (2), thesurface of the first substrate has an approximately rectangular shape,and the zone exists on portions of the outer periphery of the adhesivematerial which extend along two respective sides of the outer peripheryof the surface of the first substrate which are arranged parallel toeach other.

(4) In the display device having the constitution (3), externalconnection terminals of the integrated circuit are arranged along oneside of the outer periphery of the surface of the first substrate, andthe zone of the adhesive material exists on portions of the outerperiphery of the surface of the first substrate which extend along tworespective sides of the first substrate which are connected with theside of the first substrate along which the external connectionterminals are arranged.

(5) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(4), the plurality of second portions exhibits a substantially sameretracting quantity from the outer periphery of the first substrate atthe center portion of the second portion in the peripheral direction.

(6) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(4), the two neighboring second portions differ from each other in aretracting quantity thereof from the outer periphery of the firstsubstrate at the center portion in the peripheral direction.

(7) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(6), a size of the first portion in the peripheral direction and a sizeof the second portion in the peripheral direction are substantiallyequal to each other.

(8) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(6), a size of the first portion in the peripheral direction is setlarger than a size of the second portion in the peripheral direction.

(9) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(8), the adhesive material is a photo-curing resin.

(10) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(9), the adhesive material has a closed annular planar shape as viewedfrom the surface of the first substrate.

(11) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(9), the adhesive material has an open annular planar shape as viewedfrom the surface of the first substrate.

(12) In the display device having any one of the constitutions (1) to(11), the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel in which aliquid crystal material is filled between the first substrate and thesecond substrate.

According to the display device of the invention, an area of theadhesive interface between the first substrate and the adhesive member(sealing material) and an area of the adhesive interface between thesecond substrate and the adhesive member in the zone of the adhesivematerial can be increased and hence, it is possible to ensure asufficient adhesive strength. Accordingly, it is possible to reducepeeling of the adhering surface between the first substrate and theadhesive material and peeling of the adhering surface between the secondsubstrate and the adhesive material.

Further, according to the display device of the invention, by formingthe second portions in the zone of the adhesive material, it is possibleto reduce cutting failures when the sides of the first substrate and thesecond substrate along which the zone of the adhesive material extendsare cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing one example of the schematicconstitution of a conventional liquid crystal display panel;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line A-A′ in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line B-B′ in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view showing one example of a manufacturingmethod of liquid crystal display panels by a multi-piece simultaneouslyforming method;

FIG. 2B is a schematic enlarged front view showing a region R3 in FIG.2A in an enlarged manner;

FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line C-C′ in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view for explaining drawbacks of theconventional liquid crystal display panel;

FIG. 4A is a schematic front view showing one example of a printingmethod of a sealing material in the manufacturing method of liquidcrystal display panels of one specific embodiment according to theinvention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic enlarged front view showing one example of aplanar shape of the sealing material after the pair of mother glasses ofthis embodiment is adhered to each other;

FIG. 4C is a schematic front view showing a region which is cut out asone piece of liquid crystal display panel and one example of the planarshape of the sealing material on a periphery of the region;

FIG. 4D is a schematic enlarged front view showing one example of theconstitution of an outer peripheral portion of the liquid crystaldisplay panel obtained by the manufacturing method of this embodiment;

FIG. 4E is a schematic front view showing one example of the planarconstitution of one piece of liquid crystal display panel cut out fromthe mother glass;

FIG. 4F is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line D-D′ in FIG. 4D;

FIG. 4G is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line E-E′ in FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5A is a schematic front view showing a first modification of theprinting method of the sealing material;

FIG. 5B is a schematic front view showing a first modification of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing when the sealingmaterial is printed as shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a schematic front view showing one typical example of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing in the manufacturingmethod of the liquid crystal display panel of the above-mentionedembodiment;

FIG. 6B is a schematic front view showing a second modification of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing;

FIG. 6C is a schematic front view showing a third modification of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing;

FIG. 6D is a schematic front view showing a fourth modification of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing;

FIG. 7A is a schematic front view showing one example of the schematicconstitution of the whole mother glass immediately after adhering thepair of mother glasses in a first application example of themanufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels of theabove-mentioned embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a schematic enlarged front view showing a region R5 shown inFIG. 7A in an enlarged manner;

FIG. 7C is a schematic front view showing one example of the schematicconstitution of one piece of liquid crystal display panel obtained byadopting the first application example; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view for explaining a second applicationexample of the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels ofthe above-mentioned embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention are explained in detail inconjunction with attached drawings.

In all drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having identicalfunctions are given same symbols and their repeated explanation isomitted.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are schematic views showing one example of theschematic constitution of a conventional display panel which is providedfor explaining a display panel according to the invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic front view showing one example of the schematicconstitution of the conventional liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 1Bis a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line A-A′ in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1Cis a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line B-B′ in FIG. 1A.

The invention is applicable to, for example, a miniaturized liquidcrystal display panel used in a liquid crystal display of a mobile phoneterminal. The liquid crystal display panel used in the liquid crystaldisplay of a conventional mobile phone terminal includes, for example,as shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, a TFT substrate 1, a counter substrate2, a liquid crystal material 3, a sealing material (adhesive material)4, a lower polarizer 5 and an upper polarizer 6.

The TFT substrate 1 includes, for example, an integrated circuit forminglayer 102 on a surface (a surface facing the counter substrate 2) of aninsulation substrate 101 formed of a glass substrate or the like. On theintegrated circuit forming layer 102, for example, a plurality ofscanning signal lines, a plurality of video signal lines, TFT elements,pixel electrodes, an alignment film and the like are formed. Further, ina region R1 of the TFT substrate 1 along one side 1A of the TFTsubstrate 1, for example, external connection terminals for inputtingsignals which are applied to the plurality of scanning signal lines, theplurality of video signal lines and the like are arranged. Further, in aregion R2 of the TFT substrate 1, for example, semiconductor chips suchas driver ICs are mounted.

The counter substrate 2 includes, for example, a thin film layer 202 ona surface (a surface facing the TFT substrate 1) of an insulationsubstrate 201 formed of a glass substrate or the like. On the thin filmlayer 202, for example, a light blocking film (referred to as a blackmatrix in general) which divides a display region DA into individualpixel regions, color filters, an alignment film and the like are formed.

Here, the combination of the constitution of the integrated circuitforming layer 102 of the TFT substrate 1 and the constitution of thethin film layer 202 of the counter substrate 2 in the liquid crystaldisplay panel according to the invention may take any combination. Thatis, in the liquid crystal display panel according to the invention, acounter electrode which forms a pair with the pixel electrode in drivingthe liquid crystal material 3 may be formed on the integrated circuitforming layer 102 or may be formed on the thin film layer 202. Further,in the liquid crystal display panel according to the invention, the TFTelement may adopt the bottom gate structure in which a semiconductorlayer is arranged on a gate electrode as viewed from the insulationsubstrate 101, or the top gate structure in which the gate electrode isarranged above the semiconductor layer as viewed from the insulationsubstrate 101.

The sealing material 4 is provided for hermetically sealing the liquidcrystal material 3 in a space defined between the TFT substrate 1 andthe counter substrate 2. A planar shape of the sealing material 4 whenthe liquid crystal display panel is viewed from a front side thereof isformed in a closed annular shape which surrounds the display region DAas shown in FIG. 1A, for example. Further, the sealing material 4 is,for example, made of a photo-curing resin or a thermosetting resin, andis adhered to a surface of the TFT substrate 1 and a surface of thecounter substrate 2.

Further, when the liquid crystal display panel is a transmissive liquidcrystal display panel or a transflective liquid crystal display panel,for example, as shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the lower polarizer 5 isadhered to a back surface (a back surface of a surface facing thecounter substrate 2) of the TFT substrate 1, and the upper polarizer 6is adhered to a back surface (a back surface of a surface facing the TFTsubstrate 1) of the counter substrate 2. Further, although not shown inFIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, a one-layered or a plural-layered phase differencesheet may be interposed between the TFT substrate 1 and the lowerpolarizer 5 as well as between the counter substrate 2 and the upperpolarizer 6.

On the other hand, when the liquid crystal display panel is a reflectiveliquid crystal display panel, the lower polarizer 5 is unnecessary, anda reflective film is formed on the integrated circuit forming layer 102in place of the lower polarizer 5, for example.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are schematic views showing one example of amanufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panels according tothe invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view showing one example of themanufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels by a multi-piecesimultaneously forming method. FIG. 2B is a schematic enlarged frontview showing a region R3 in FIG. 2A in an enlarged manner. FIG. 2C is aschematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line C-C′ in FIG. 2B.

The x direction and the y direction in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B arerespectively equal to the x direction and the y direction in FIG. 1A.

With respect to the liquid crystal display panel according to theinvention, for example, in manufacturing a miniaturized liquid crystaldisplay panel used in a liquid crystal display of a mobile phoneterminal or the like, usually, the liquid crystal display panels aremanufactured by a method which is referred to as “multi-piecesimultaneously forming method”. In manufacturing the liquid crystaldisplay panels by the multi-piece simultaneously forming method, a firstmother glass 7 from which a plurality of TFT substrates 1 can be formedand a second mother glass 8 from which a plurality of counter substrates2 can be formed are adhered to each other using the sealing material 4and, thereafter, the first mother glass 7 and the second mother glass 8are cut so as to divide these mother glasses 7, 8 into individual liquidcrystal display panels.

That is, in the 24-piece simultaneously forming method whichmanufactures 24 pieces of liquid crystal display panels using the pairof mother glasses, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, when thefirst mother glass 7 and the second mother glass 8 are adhered to eachother using the sealing material 4, 24 pieces of liquid crystal displaypanels are formed in a state that these liquid crystal display panelsare connected with each other with six pieces of liquid crystal displaypanels extending in the x direction and four pieces of liquid crystaldisplay panels extending in the y direction. Then, when the first motherglass 7 and the second mother glass 8 are cut at portions thereof(cutting lines SL1, SL2) where a bold broken line passes, 24 pieces ofliquid crystal display panels having a size Lx in the x direction and asize Ly in the y direction can be obtained from one set of motherglasses 7, 8. Further, the second mother glass 8 (counter substrate 2)is, for example, cut along a cutting line SL3 shown in FIG. 2B so as toexpose a region where the external connection terminals of the TFTsubstrate 1 are arranged or a region where semiconductor chips aremounted.

The example shown in FIG. 2A to 2C is one example of a case in which aliquid crystal material is filled by a liquid crystal dropping sealingmethod (ODF method). To briefly explain the manufacturing method ofliquid crystal display panels which adopts the liquid crystal droppingsealing method, first of all, for example, in the respective regions ofthe first mother glass 7 for forming 24 pieces of TFT substrate 1 whichare cut out as the TFT substrates 1 respectively, the closed annularsealing material 4 (adhesive material) which surrounds the displayregion DA is formed. Here, the sealing material 4 is formed by printingan uncured photo-curing resin or an uncured thermosetting resin.

Next, the liquid crystal material 3 is dropped in each region which issurrounded by the sealing material 4 formed on the region of the firstmother glass 7 to be cut out as the TFT substrate 1.

Next, for example, the second mother glass 8 is arranged on the firstmother glass 7 and the sealing material 4 is cured thus adhering thefirst mother glass 7 and the sealing material 4 to each other and, atthe same time, adhering the second mother glass 8 and the sealingmaterial 4 to each other. This step is carried out in a vacuumatmosphere, for example. Here, when the sealing material 4 is made of aphoto-curing resin, a light having a predetermined wavelength (forexample, ultra violet lays) is radiated to the sealing material 4 so asto cure the sealing material 4, while when the sealing material 4 ismade of a thermosetting resin, the sealing material 4 is heated at apredetermined temperature so that the sealing material is cured.

The example shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C is only an example of the casein which the liquid crystal display panels are manufactured by amulti-piece simultaneously forming method. That is, in actuallymanufacturing the liquid crystal display panels by the multi-piecesimultaneously forming method, the number of the liquid crystal displaypanels is not limited to 24, and the larger number of (for example, 416pieces of) liquid crystal display panels may be manufactured from thepair of mother glasses 7, 8.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2B, a size of an outer peripheralportion (a picture frame portion) of the display region DA in the regionto be cut out as one piece of liquid crystal display panel, for example,a distance FW between a right-side edge of the display region and thecutting line is depicted as if the distance has a large size. However,the distance FW between the right-side edge of the display region DA andthe cutting line in an actual liquid crystal display panel is extremelysmall compared to a size DAW of the display region DA in the xdirection. Particularly, in case of a miniaturized liquid crystaldisplay panel used in a mobile-phone terminal or the like, there existsa tendency that the size (the distance FW) of the picture frame portionis decreased, and the size (the distance FW) is, for example, merelyapproximately 1.35 mm. Further, it is necessary to form the sealingmaterial 4 in the picture frame portion having such a size ofapproximately 1.35 mm.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view for explaining drawbacks of theconventional liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged front view in which a region R4 in FIG.2B is enlarged. Further, the x direction and the y direction shown inFIG. 3 are respectively equal to the x direction and the y direction inFIG. 2B.

In the conventional manufacturing method of liquid crystal displaypanels by the multi-piece simultaneously forming method, the sealingmaterial 4 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, formed between thecutting line SL and an edge portion of the display region DA (a pictureframe portion). In case of the liquid crystal display panel used in themobile phone terminal, the distance FW between the cutting line SL2 andthe edge portion of the display region DA is, as previously described,approximately 1.35 mm, for example.

Further, in forming the sealing material 4, to prevent the sealingmaterial 4 from projecting from the display region DA after curing, thesealing material 4 is formed such that a distance W1 between an innerperiphery of the sealing material 4 and the edge portion of the displayregion DA becomes approximately 0.4 mm, for example.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A to 2C and FIG. 3, in dividing portions ofthe pair of mother glasses corresponding to two pieces of neighboringliquid crystal display panels into two liquid crystal display panels bycutting along one cutting line SL1 (or SL2), it is necessary to take thecutting tolerance ΔSL into consideration. Accordingly, in forming thesealing material 4, for example, a distance W2 between an outerperiphery of the sealing material 4 and the cutting line SL2 in eachliquid crystal display panel is set larger than a value of one half ofthe cutting tolerance ΔSL.

In forming the sealing material 4 which satisfies the above-mentionedcondition, a size W3 of the sealing material 4 in the x direction inFIG. 3 becomes approximately 0.85 mm, for example. Further, although notshown in the drawing, a size of the sealing material 4 in the directionperpendicular to the cutting line SL1 (or SL2) in other portion of thesealing material 4 also becomes approximately 0.85 mm.

Accordingly, in the conventional liquid crystal display panel, thepicture frame portion becomes narrow and, at the same time, an area ofan adhering surface between the TFT substrate 1 and the sealing material4 and an area of an adhering surface between the counter substrate 2 andthe sealing material 4 become small thus making it difficult to ensure asufficient adhesive strength. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal displaypanel used in the mobile phone terminal, for example, the adheringsurface between the TFT substrate 1 and the sealing material 4 is easilypeeled and, at the same time, the adhering surface between the countersubstrate 2 and the sealing material 4 is easily peeled.

Further, in sealing the liquid crystal material by a liquid crystaldropping sealing method, when a quantity of liquid crystal material 3dropped in a region surrounded by one sealing material 4 exceeds apredetermined quantity, when the first mother glass 7 and the secondmother glass 8 are adhered to each other, an excess quantity of liquidcrystal material 3 intrudes into a contact interface between the secondmother glass 8 and the sealing material 4, for example. In this case,the area of the adhering surface between the second mother glass 8(counter substrate 2) and the sealing material 4 is further decreasedand hence, the adhering surface between the counter substrate 2 and thesealing material 4 is more easily peeled off.

Specific Embodiment

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G are schematic views for explaining one specificembodiment of the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal displaypanels according to the invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic front view showing one example of a printingmethod of the sealing material in the manufacturing method of liquidcrystal display panels of one specific embodiment according to theinvention. FIG. 4B is a schematic enlarged front view showing oneexample of a planar shape of the sealing material after the pair ofmother glasses of this embodiment is adhered to each other. FIG. 4C is aschematic front view showing a region which is cut out as one piece ofliquid crystal display panel and one example of the planar shape of thesealing material on a periphery of the region. FIG. 4D is a schematicenlarged front view showing one example of the constitution of an outerperipheral portion of the liquid crystal display panel obtained by themanufacturing method of this embodiment. FIG. 4E is a schematic frontview showing one example of the planar constitution of one piece ofliquid crystal display panel cut out from the mother glass. FIG. 4F is aschematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line D-D′ in FIG. 4D. FIG. 4Gis a schematic cross-sectional view showing one example of thecross-sectional constitution taken along a line E-E′ in FIG. 4D.

Further, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the planar constitution of a regioncorresponding to the region R4 shown in FIG. 2B. Further, FIG. 4C showsthe planar constitution of a region corresponding to a region R3 in FIG.2A. FIG. 4D shows a region on a left side of a cutting line in FIG. 4Bwhich is the schematic enlarged front view. FIG. 4E shows a liquidcrystal display panel which is formed by cutting out a center portion inFIG. 4C which is the schematic front view.

Further, the x direction and the y direction in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E arerespectively equal to the x direction and the y direction shown in FIG.2B.

The general steps of the manufacturing method of liquid crystal displaypanels according to the invention are equal to the steps of theconventional manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels.Accordingly, in this embodiment, only points which make themanufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panels of theinvention differ from the conventional manufacturing method of theliquid crystal display panels are explained. Further, in thisembodiment, as the conventional manufacturing method of liquid crystaldisplay panels, the manufacturing method which seals the liquid crystalmaterial 3 by a liquid crystal dropping sealing method is exemplified.

In the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels accordingto this embodiment, first of all, the pair of mother glasses, that is,the first mother glass 7 from which plural pieces of TFT substrates 1can be formed and the second mother glass 8 from which plural pieces ofcounter substrates 2 can be formed is prepared. With respect to thecombination of the constitution of the TFT substrate 1 on the firstmother glass 7 and the constitution of the counter substrate 2 on thesecond mother glass 8, anyone of combinations respectively applied tothe conventional liquid crystal display panels may be selected. Further,with respect to the manufacturing method of the first mother glass 7 andthe manufacturing method of the second mother glass 8, any one ofmethods which are adopted by the conventional manufacturing method ofliquid crystal display panels may be selected in conformity with theconstitution of the TFT substrate 1 and the constitution of the countersubstrate 2.

Next, the sealing material 4 (adhesive material) is formed on therespective regions which are cut out as the TFT substrates 1 from thefirst mother glass 7. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, thesealing material 4 forms, besides an annular sealing material 4 a whichsurrounds the display region DA which is formed also in the conventionalmanufacturing method, a plurality of island-shaped sealing materials 4 bwhich passes between the sealing materials 4 a formed in the regionswhich are cut out as two neighboring TFT substrates 1 in the xdirection. Here, the annular sealing materials 4 a and the island-shapedsealing materials 4 b are formed by printing an uncured photo curingresin, for example.

Further, a width W3′ of the annular sealing material 4 a at the timingof the printing is set smaller than a width W3 after curing by taking aspreading amount due to the deformation of the sealing material 4 a whenthe second mother glass 8 is adhered to the first mother glass 7 intoconsideration. Further, a size W4 of the island-shaped sealing material4 b in the x direction is set to a value which makes the island-shapedsealing material 4 b united with the annular sealing materials 4 aarranged on both sides of the island-shaped sealing materials 4 b due tothe deformation of the sealing materials 4 a, 4 b when the second motherglass 8 is adhered to the first mother glass 7. Although a size W5′ ofthe island-shaped sealing material 4 b in the y direction can bearbitrarily set, a gap W6′ between two neighboring island-shaped sealingmaterials 4 b is set to a value which prevents two sealing materials 4 bfrom being united with each other when the second mother glass 8 isadhered to the first mother glass 7. Specific examples of these sizesW5′, W6′ are explained later.

Next, the liquid crystal material 3 is dropped in the inside of each ofthe annular sealing materials 4 a formed in the regions cut out as theTFT substrates 1 from the first mother glass 7.

Next, the second mother glass 8 is adhered to the first mother glass 7,and the sealing materials 4 a, 4 b are cured. At this point of time, thesealing materials 4 a, 4 b are deformed due to a dead weight of thesecond mother glass 8 or a pressure applied from the outside so that thesealing materials 4 a, 4 b are united with each other and, for example,are cured in a state that these sealing materials 4 a, 4 b have a planarshape shown in FIG. 4B. That is, the sealing materials 4 a, 4 b arecured in a state that two annular sealing materials 4 a which are formedin the regions cut out as two neighboring TFT substrates 1 in the xdirection are connected with each other by the plurality ofisland-shaped sealing materials 4 b formed between two annular sealingmaterials 4 a thus forming the integral sealing material 4. Accordingly,the sizes W4, W5′ of the island-shaped sealing material 4 and the gapW6′ shown in FIG. 4A are respectively set to values which allow theplanar shape of the sealing material 4 when the pair of mother glasses7, 8 are adhered to each other to assume the shape shown in FIG. 4B.Here, parts to be connected by the island-shaped sealing materials 4 bare, for example, two neighboring annular sealing materials 4 a in the xdirection and hence, in the planar shape of the sealing materials 4after the pair of mother glasses 7, 8 is adhered to each other, forexample, as shown in FIG. 4C, the sealing materials 4 which arerespectively formed in the regions cut out as the TFT substrates 1arranged in the x direction are connected (united) with each other.

Further, the sizes W5′, W6′ at the time of printing the island-shapedsealing materials 4 b are set such that, in the sealing material 4 afterthe pair of mother glasses 7, 8 is adhered to each other (after curing),a size W5 of a portion in the y direction which connects two annularportions and, a gap W6 between two connected portions (a size of a spaceportion in the y direction) satisfy the relationship of W5 W6, forexample. Further, the sizes W5′, W6′ at the time of printing theisland-shaped sealing materials 4 b are set such that the size W5 of theportion in the y direction which connects two annular portions and thegap W6 between two connected portions respectively take values which areexpressed by, for example, 0.1 mm<W5<5.0 mm (more preferably 1.0 mm) and0.1 mm<W6<5.0 mm (more preferably 1.0 mm).

Further, the step in which the second mother glass 8 is adhered to thefirst mother glass 7 and the sealing material 4 (4 a, 4 b) is cured iscarried out in a vacuum atmosphere, for example, wherein the secondmother glass 8 is stacked on the first mother glass 7, the sealingmaterial 4 (4 a, 4 b) and the second mother glass 8 are brought intoclose contact with each other and a gap between the first mother glass 7and the second mother glass 8 is set to a predetermined value and,thereafter, a light (for example, ultraviolet lays) having apredetermined wave length is radiated to the sealing material 4 so as tocure the sealing material 4.

In this manner, by connecting the annular sealing materials 4 arespectively formed in the regions cut out as two neighboring TFTsubstrates 1 (liquid crystal display panels) in the x direction by theplurality of island-shaped sealing materials 4 b, the area of theadhering surface between the first mother glass 7 and the sealingmaterial 4 and the area of the adhering surface between the secondmother glass 8 and the sealing material 4 are respectively increased byan amount corresponding to the connecting portions compared to theexample shown in FIG. 3, for example. Accordingly, the liquid crystaldisplay panel used in the mobile phone terminal or the like which hasthe picture frame portion of a small size (width) FW can also increasean adhesive strength between the first mother glass 7 (TFT substrate 1)and the sealing material 4 as well as an adhesive strength between thesecond mother glass (counter substrate 2) and the sealing material 4.

Further, when the area of the adhering surface between the first motherglass 7 and the sealing material 4 and the area of the adhering surfacebetween the second mother glass 8 and the sealing material 4 arerespectively increased by amounts corresponding to the connectingportions, for example, even when a quantity of dropped liquid crystalmaterial 3 exceeds a prescribed value and an excess quantity of theliquid crystal material 3 intrudes between the second mother glass 8 andthe sealing material 4, it is possible to ensure a sufficient adhesivestrength. Accordingly, peeling of the adhering surface between the firstmother glass 7 (TFT substrate 1) and the sealing material 4 attributedto the intrusion of the liquid crystal material 3 and peeling of theadhering surface between the second mother glass 8 (counter substrate 2)and the sealing material 4 attributed to the intrusion of the liquidcrystal material 3 can be reduced.

Next, the first mother glass 7 and the second mother glass 8 are cutalong the cutting lines SL1, SL2 thus dividing these mother glasses 7, 8into the individual liquid crystal display panels. Here, a boundary(cutting line SL2) of the regions which are cut out as two neighboringTFT substrates 1 in the x direction exhibits a state in which a portionwhere the sealing material 4 passes and a portion where the sealingmaterial 4 does not pass are alternately arranged. Accordingly, comparedto a case in which the sealing material 4 exists over the whole cuttingline SL2, an impact which occurs at the time of cutting the sealingmaterial 4 is small so that, for example, it is possible to prevent theoccurrence of cutting failures such as a peeling of the adhering surfacebetween the TFT substrate 1 or the counter substrate 2 and the sealingmaterial 4 attributed to such an impact at the time of cutting.

One piece of liquid crystal display panel obtained by theabove-mentioned steps forms, for example, as shown in FIG. 4D to FIG.4G, on an outer periphery (a side surface) of the sealing material 4 asviewed from a surface of the TFT substrate 1, a zone which isconstituted of a plurality of first portions which passes the sameposition as outer peripheries of the TFT substrate 1 and the countersubstrate 2, and a plurality of second portions each of which isconnected with two neighboring first portions and has a center portionthereof as viewed in a peripheral direction (y direction) retractedtoward an inner peripheral side of the sealing material as viewed fromthe surface of the TFT substrate 1 by a distance W7. Here, it isdesirable that a retracting quantity (distance W7) of the second portionis smaller than a distance W3 between the second portion out of an outerperiphery of the sealing material 4 and an inner periphery of thesealing material (W7<W3).

Here, as a matter of course, the above-mentioned zone exists, forexample, as shown in FIG. 4E, on portions which respectively extendalong a left side 1B and a right side 1C of the TFT substrate 1 whichare connected with the side 1A of the TFT substrate 1 on which theexternal connection terminals are arranged. Further, a distance W8between the first portion out of the outer periphery of the sealingmaterial 4 and the inner periphery of the sealing material 4 is setlarger than the distance W3 between the second portion out of the outerperiphery of the sealing material 4 and the inner periphery of thesealing material. That is, with respect to the sealing material 4 of theliquid crystal display panel obtained by the manufacturing method ofthis embodiment, to focus on the portions which extend respectivelyalong the left side 1B and the right side 1C of the TFT substrate 1connected to the side 1A of the TFT substrate 1 on which the externalconnection terminals are arranged, the portion exhibits a shape in whicha portion having the width W8 and a portion having the width W3 arealternately arranged.

As has been explained heretofore, the liquid crystal display panelobtained by the manufacturing method of this embodiment can increase theadhesive area between the TFT substrate 1 and the sealing material 4 andthe adhesive area between the counter substrate 2 and the sealingmaterial 4 compared to the conventional liquid crystal display panelhaving the same size as the liquid crystal display panel of thisembodiment. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display panel having thepicture frame portion of the narrow size FW outside the display regionDA also can reduce peeling of the adhering surface between the TFTsubstrate 1 and the sealing material 4 and peeling of the adheringsurface between the counter substrate 2 and the sealing material 4.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic views for explaining a firstmodification of the manufacturing method of liquid crystal displaypanels of the above-mentioned embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a schematic front view showing a first modification of theprinting method of the sealing material. FIG. 5B is a schematic frontview showing a first modification of the planar shape of the sealingmaterial after curing when the sealing material is printed as shown inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B respectively show the planar constitutions of aregion corresponding to the region R in FIG. 2B. Further, the xdirection and the y direction in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are respectivelyequal to the x direction and the y direction in FIG. 2B.

To explain the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels ofthe above-mentioned embodiment, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, theannular sealing material 4 a which is formed in the region cut out aseach TFT substrate is formed by the same method as the conventionalmanufacturing method, that is, by the method where widths (sizes in thedirection perpendicular to the cutting line) of respective portions ofthe annular sealing material 4 a are made uniform. In this case, whenthe second mother glass 8 is adhered to the first mother glass 7 and thesealing material 4 is cured, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a portionof the annular sealing material 4 a which is brought into contact withthe island-shaped sealing material 4 b exhibits a planar shapeprojecting toward a display region DA side. Accordingly, when thedistance W1 between the outer periphery of the display region DA and theinner periphery of the sealing material 4 is short, there exists apossibility that a portion of the sealing material 4 which projectstoward the display region DA side overlaps with the display region DA,for example. Further, due to the projection of such a portion of thesealing material 4 toward the display region DA side, a space in whichthe liquid crystal material 3 is hermetically filled is narrowed andhence, an excess quantity of liquid crystal material 3 is increasedrelatively. Accordingly, for example, a quantity of liquid crystalmaterial 3 which intrudes into a contact interface between the secondmother glass 8 and the sealing material 4 is increased thus giving riseto a possibility that an adhesive strength between the second motherglass 8 and the sealing material 4 is lowered.

To prevent the occurrence of such a drawback, at the time of printingthe annular sealing material 4 a, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, itis desirable to set a width W3 a′ of the portion of the annular sealingmaterial 4 a which is brought into contact with the island-shapedsealing material 4 b smaller than a width W3 b′ of a portion of theannular sealing material 4 a which is not brought into contact with theisland-shaped sealing material 4 b. Due to such constitution, when thesecond mother glass 8 is adhered to the first mother glass 7 and thesealing material 4 (4 a, 4 b) is cured, the planar shape of the sealingmaterial 4 exhibits a shape shown in FIG. 5B, for example, where theinner periphery of the sealing material 4 in the region which is cut outas one TFT substrate 1 becomes substantially parallel to the outerperiphery of the display region DA. Accordingly, for example, it ispossible to prevent the sealing material 4 from overlapping with thedisplay region DA or the adhesive strength between the second motherglass 8 and the sealing material 4 from being lowered.

It is needless to say that the planar shape of the annular sealingmaterial 4 a at the time of printing is not limited to the planar shapeshown in FIG. 4A or the planar shape shown in FIG. 5A and can besuitably changed.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are schematic views for explaining second to fourthmodifications of the manufacturing method of liquid crystal displaypanels of the above-mentioned embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic front view showing one typical example of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing in the manufacturingmethod of liquid crystal display panels of the above-mentionedembodiment. FIG. 6B is a schematic front view showing a secondmodification of the planar shape of the sealing material after curing.FIG. 6C is a schematic front view showing a third modification of theplanar shape of the sealing material after curing. FIG. 6D is aschematic front view showing a fourth modification of the planar shapeof the sealing material after curing.

Here, FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D respectively show the planar constitution whena region corresponding to the region R4 in FIG. 2B is viewed in anexpanded manner in the y direction. Here, the x direction and the ydirection in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are respectively equal to the xdirection and the y direction in FIG. 2B.

To explain the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels ofthe above-mentioned embodiment, in the example shown in FIG. 4B, a sizeW5′ of the island-shaped sealing material 4 b on the cutting line SL2 inthe y direction and a gap W6′ between the island-shaped sealingmaterials 4 b on the cutting line SL2 are substantially equal and, atthe same time, sizes and positions as viewed in the x direction ofspaces formed in the sealing material 4 after curing are alsosubstantially equal. Here, with respect to the sealing material 4 aftercuring, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, to take the cutting toleranceΔSL into consideration, it is desirable that the spaces 9 formed in thesealing material 4 are arranged at an actually cut position even whenthe displacement between the actually cut position and the predeterminedcutting line SL2 assumes a maximum value. Accordingly, it is desirableto set a size W9 of the spaces 9 in the x direction larger than thecutting tolerance ΔSL in forming the sealing material 4.

However, when the size W9 of the space 9 formed in the sealing material4 in the x direction is set larger than the cutting tolerance ΔSL, theadhesive area between the first mother glass 7 (or the second motherglass 8) and the sealing material 4 is decreased by an amountcorresponding to the size difference and hence, when the spaces 9 arearranged densely, it may be difficult to ensure a sufficient adhesivestrength.

To obviate such a possibility, in forming the sealing material 4, forexample, as shown in FIG. 6B, a size W5 of the above-mentioned firstportion in the y direction in the planar shape after curing may be setseveral times as large as a size W6 of the above-mentioned secondportion (space 9) in the y direction in the planar shape after curing.Also in this case, when the spaces 9 are arranged at the actually cutposition, the sealing material 4 can be cut easily. Further, byelongating the size W5 of the first portion, the adhesive areas betweenthe mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealing material can be enlarged thusincreasing the adhesive strength. Accordingly, it is possible to preventpeeling of the adhering surfaces between the mother glasses 7, 8 and thesealing material 4 attributed to an impact at the time of cutting thesealing material 4, for example.

Here, with respect to the planar shape of the sealing material 4 aftercuring shown in FIG. 4B, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, all spaces 9 havesubstantially the same size. In the actual manufacture of liquid crystaldisplay panels, however, there exists a possibility that irregularitiesoccur among sizes of the respective spaces 9 due to printingirregularities of the sealing materials 4 a, 4 b or irregularities ofdeformation quantities at the time of adhering the second mother glass 8to the first mother glass 7, for example. Accordingly, in cutting thesealing material 4 within a range of the cutting tolerance ΔSL, thereexist a case in which all spaces 9 are arranged on the cutting line anda case in which only some spaces 9 are arranged on the cutting line.Also in such a case, provided that the spaces 9 exist at intervalsshorter than predetermined intervals on the cutting line, peeling of theadhering surfaces between the mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealingmaterial 4 attributed to an impact at the time of cutting the sealingmaterial 4 can be reduced.

Accordingly, in forming the sealing material 4, for example, as shown inFIG. 6C, the sealing material 4 may be formed such that positions ofspaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 c in the x direction in a planar shape after curingmay be displaced from each other by a distance Δx1. In the example shownin FIG. 6C, three spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 c arranged in the y direction areformed as one unit, and the positions of these three spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9c in the x direction are respectively displaced from each other by thedistance Δx1. Due to such constitution, for example, when the sealingmaterial 4 is cut along the predetermined cutting line SL2, all spaces 9a, 9 b, 9 c exist on the cutting line SL2. Further, when the sealingmaterial 4 is cut at a position (for example, along a cutting line SL2L)displaced toward a left side of the predetermined cutting line SL2, thespace 9 a which has the position thereof in the x direction displaced bythe distance Δx1 in the −x direction exists on the cutting line SL2L.Further, when the sealing material 4 is cut at a position (for example,along a cutting line SL2R) displaced toward a right side of thepredetermined cutting line SL2, the space 9 a which has the positionthereof in the x direction displaced by the distance Δx1 in the +xdirection exists on the cutting line SL2R. Accordingly, provided thatthe sealing material 4 is cut within a range of the cutting toleranceΔSL, the spaces 9 exist on the cutting line at a cycle equal to or lessthan the distance L and hence, peeling of the adhering surfaces betweenthe mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealing material 4 attributed to animpact at the time of cutting the sealing material 4 can be reduced.

Further, when the planar shape of the sealing material 4 after curingexhibits the shape shown in FIG. 6C, for example, compared to a case inwhich the same number of spaces 9 (9 a, 9 b, 9 c) have the shape shownin FIG. 6A, sizes W4 of the individual spaces 9 (9 a, 9 b, 9 c) in the xdirection can be decreased and hence, the adhesive areas between themother glasses 7, 8 and the sealing material 4 can be increased by anamount corresponding to the reduction of sizes W4. Accordingly, theadhesive strengths between the mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealingmaterial 4 can be increased thus lowering peeling of the adheringsurfaces between the mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealing material 4.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6C, when the sealing material 4 iscut along the predetermined cutting line SL2, all spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 cexist on the cutting line SL2. However, to consider the combination ofthe example shown in FIG. 6C and the example shown in FIG. 6B, when thesealing material 4 is cut along the predetermined cutting line SL2, itis not necessary that all spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 c exist on the cutting lineSL2. That is, the planar shape of the sealing material 4 after curingmay, for example, as shown in FIG. 6D, have a shape in which only thespace 9 b out of the spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 c exists on the predeterminedcutting line SL2. In this case, for example, by overlapping the space 9a and the space 9 b with each other by a distance Δx2 and by overlappingthe space 9 b and the space 9 c with each other by the distance Δx2,provided that the sealing material 4 is cut within a range of thecutting tolerance ΔSL, any one of the spaces 9 a, 9 b, 9 c never failsto exist on the cutting line.

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are schematic views for explaining the firstapplication example of the manufacturing method of liquid crystaldisplay panels of the above-mentioned embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a schematic front view showing one example of the schematicconstitution of the whole mother glass immediately after adhering thepair of mother glasses in the first application example of themanufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels of theabove-mentioned embodiment. FIG. 7B is a schematic enlarged front viewshowing the region R5 in FIG. 7A in an enlarged manner. FIG. 7C is aschematic front view showing one example of the schematic constitutionof one piece of liquid crystal display panel obtained by adopting thefirst application example.

The x direction and the y direction in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C arerespectively equal to the x direction and the y direction in FIG. 2B.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A,exemplified is the case in which all of the plurality of (24 pieces of)TFT substrates 1 which are cut out from the first mother glass 7 and theplurality of (24 pieces of) counter substrates 2 which are cut out fromthe second mother glass 8 for forming are arranged on the samedirection. That is, to focus on a boundary of the regions which are cutout as two neighboring TFT substrates 1 in the y direction, one TFTsubstrate 1 has a side 1A on which the external connection terminals arearranged, and another TFT substrate 1 has a side which faces the side 1Aon which the external connection terminals are arranged.

Such an arrangement is relevant to the rubbing direction at the time ofapplying rubbing treatment to the alignment film formed on the surfaceof the TFT substrate 1 and the alignment film formed on the surface ofthe counter substrate 2, for example, and is provided for aligning therubbing direction of the alignment films of all liquid crystal displaypanels.

Accordingly, when the liquid crystal display panels which adopt a VAmethod (Vertical Alignment method) so that rubbing treatment ofalignment films is unnecessary are manufactured by a multi-piecesimultaneously forming method, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG.7B, regions which are cut out as two neighboring TFT substrates 1 in they direction may be formed as a set, and the side 1A on which theexternal connection terminals are arranged and the side which faces theside 1A may be brought into contact with each other in the boundarybetween two regions.

By adopting such an arrangement, on the boundary where the side 1A onwhich the external connection terminals are arranged and the side whichfaces the side 1A of the regions which are cut out as two neighboringTFT substrates 1 in the y direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B,an annular portion of the sealing material 4 formed in one region and anannular portion of the sealing material 4 formed in another region canbe connected with each other at a plurality of portions. Accordingly,the adhesive area between the sealing material 4 and the mother glasses7, 8 at a zone which extends along the side 1A on which the externalconnection terminals are arranged and the side which faces the side 1Acan be also increased thus further reducing peeling of the adheringsurface between the TFT substrate 1 and the sealing material 4 andpeeling of the adhering surface between the counter substrate 2 and thesealing material 4.

Further, the arrangement of the liquid crystal display panels on each ofthe pair of mother glasses 7, 8 adopts such an arrangement, when themother glasses 7, 8 are divided into the individual liquid crystaldisplay panels by cutting, the planar shape of the obtained liquidcrystal display panel becomes as shown in FIG. 7C, for example. That is,with respect to an outer periphery of the sealing material 4 as viewedin a plan view of the TFT substrate 1, the zone where theabove-mentioned first portions and the above-mentioned second portionsare arranged alternately exists in portions which are respectivelyarranged along three sides 1B, 1C, 1D except for the side 1A on whichthe external connection terminals of the TFT substrate 1 are arranged.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view for explaining a second applicationexample of the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels ofthe above-mentioned embodiment.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the manufacturing method of liquidcrystal display panels in which the liquid crystal material is filled bya liquid crystal dropping sealing method is exemplified. The sealingmaterial of the liquid crystal display panel obtained by such amanufacturing method exhibits a closed annular shape as shown in FIG.4E, for example.

However, the invention is not limited to the manufacturing method ofliquid crystal display panels in which the liquid crystal material isfilled by a liquid crystal dropping sealing method, and is applicable toa manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels in which aliquid crystal material 3 is filled in the individual liquid crystaldisplay panels after these liquid crystal display panels are cut outfrom the mother glasses 7, 8. In this case, the sealing material 4 inthe obtained liquid crystal display panel is, for example, as shown inFIG. 8, formed in an open annular shape, wherein a filling port of theliquid crystal material 3 is formed in a portion of a side 1D whichfaces a side 1A of the TFT substrate 1 on which external connectionterminals are formed. Here, the filling port formed in the sealingmaterial 4 is sealed by another resin material 10 after filling theliquid crystal material 3, for example.

Also in the manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels havingsuch constitution, for example, by printing the sealing material 4 onthe surface of the first mother glass 7 and by adhering the secondmother glass 8 to the first mother glass 7 in the manner described inconjunction with the above-mentioned embodiment, the contact areasbetween the mother glasses 7, 8 and the sealing material 4 can beincreased. Accordingly, peeling of the adhering surface between thefirst mother glass 7 (TFT substrate 1) and the sealing material 4 andpeeling of the adhering surface between the second mother glass 8(counter substrate 2) and the sealing material 4 attributed to an impactat the time of cutting the first mother glass 7 and the second motherglass 8, for example, can be reduced.

Although the invention has been specifically explained in conjunctionwith the embodiments heretofore, it is needless to say that theinvention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and variousmodifications are conceivable without departing from the gist of theinvention.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the manufacturing methodof liquid crystal display panels in which the liquid crystal material 3is filled in the space defined between the pair of substrates (TFTsubstrate 1 and the counter substrate 2) is exemplified. However, it isneedless to say that the invention is not limited to such amanufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels, and is alsoapplicable to a manufacturing method of liquid crystal display panels inwhich a first substrate and a second substrate are adhered to each otherby an annular sealing material (adhesive material) which surrounds adisplay region such as a self-luminous-type display panel using anorganic EL (Electro-Luminescence), for example.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substratehaving a first edge and a second edge which is in parallel with thefirst edge; a second substrate; and a closed annular shape adhesivematerial arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate,and having a plurality of first portions which are apart from the firstedge and a plurality of second portions which are apart from the secondedge, wherein the adhesive material includes a plurality of thirdportions which are disposed contiguously with the first edge of thefirst substrate and a plurality of fourth portions which are disposedcontiguously with the second edge of the first substrate.
 2. A displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate has a thirdedge which is orthogonal to the first edge, and wherein the firstsubstrate has a plurality of external connection terminals disposedthereon which are arranged along the third edge.
 3. A display deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the first substrate has a fourth edgewhich is orthogonal to the first edge and in parallel with the thirdedge, and wherein the adhesive material has a plurality fifth portionswhich are arranged apart from the fourth edge, and includes a pluralityof sixth portions which are disposed contiguously with the fourth edgeof the first substrate.
 4. A display device according to claim 3,wherein a liquid crystal material is filled between the first substrateand the second substrate.
 5. A display device according to claim 2,wherein the first substrate has a fourth edge which is orthogonal to thefirst edge and in parallel with the third edge, and wherein the adhesivematerial has a fifth portion which is arranged apart from the fourthedge.
 6. A display device according to claim 5, wherein the adhesivematerial has no portion which is disposed contiguously with the fourthedge of the first substrate.
 7. A display device according to claim 6,wherein a liquid crystal material is filled between the first substrateand the second substrate.
 8. A display device according to claim 5,wherein the adhesive material has no portion which is disposedcontiguously with the fourth edge of the first substrate at least aportion which is corresponding to the a plurality of external connectionterminals of the third edge.
 9. A display device according to claim 8,wherein a liquid crystal material is filled between the first substrateand the second substrate.